Harald Gille
Harald Gille | |
---|---|
King of Norway | |
Reign | 1130 – 14 December 1136 |
Predecessor | Sigurd I |
Successor | Sigurd IIandInge I |
Born | c. 1102 Ireland/Hebrides |
Died | 14 December 1136 (aged 32–33) Bergen |
Spouse | Ingrid Ragnvaldsdotter |
Issue | |
House | Gille |
Father | Magnus III of Norway(claimed) |
Harald Gille(Old Norse:Haraldr GilliorHaraldr Gillikristr,c. 1102[1]− 14 December 1136), also known asHarald IV,wasking of Norwayfrom 1130 until his death. His byname Gille is probably fromMiddle IrishGilla Críst"servant of Christ".
Background
[edit]Harald was born ca.1102 in Irelandor theHebrides,more likely the former. According to the sagas, he became familiar with Norway through an acquaintance with Norwegian merchants includingRögnvald Kali Kolsson,who would later becomeEarl of Orkney.Around 1127, Harald went to Norway and declared he was an illegitimate son of the former king,Magnus Barefoot,who had visited Ireland just before his death in 1103.[2]This is not implausible because other descendants of Magnus are reported in Irish sources and he is known to have been particularly fond of at least one Irish woman.[3]Harald consequently claimed to be a half-brother of the reigning king,Sigurd the Crusader.Harald appears to have submitted successfully to theordeal by fire.The alleged relationship was acknowledged by Sigurd on condition that Harald did not claim any share in the government of the kingdom during his lifetime or that of his sonMagnus.Living on friendly terms with the king, Harald kept this agreement until Sigurd's death in 1130.[2]
Reign
[edit]Harald was inTønsbergwhen he heard of King Sigurd's death. He called together a meeting at theHaugating(from theOld Norsewordhaugrmeaning hill or burial mound). At thisThing,Harald was chosen king over half the country. King Magnus was obliged to divide the kingdom with Harald into two parts.[4]
The kingdom accordingly was so divided that each of them should have the half part of the kingdom which King Sigurd had possessed. They ruled the country for some time in peace. After four years of uneasy peace, Magnus began to openly prepare for war on Harald. On August 9, 1134, he defeated Harald in a decisive Battle at Fyrisleif inFärlev, Bohuslänand Harald fled toDenmark.Subsequently, Magnus disbanded his army and traveled toBergento spend the winter there. Harald then returned to Norway with a new army and meeting little opposition, reached Bergen before Christmas. Since Magnus had few men, the city fell easily to Harald's army on January 7, 1135. Magnus was captured and dethroned. His eyes were put out, and he was thrown into prison.[2]Harald now ruled the country until 1136, when he was murdered bySigurd Slembe,another alleged illegitimate son of Magnus Barefoot.[5]
Personal life
[edit]Harald was married toIngrid Ragnvaldsdotter,daughter of Ragnvald Ingesson, the son and heir ofInge the Elder.Harald had a son,Inge I of Norway,with her. According to thesagas,Harald had previously been married toBjaðǫk,mother of his son,Eystein II of Norway.Among Harald's concubines was Thora Guttormsdotter (Þóra Guthormsdóttir), the daughter of Guttorm Gråbarde, who was the mother ofSigurd II of Norway.He also had a son,Magnus Haraldsson of Norway,who died in 1145 at 10 years of age. All four sons were kings of Norway.[6]
Historical context
[edit]Approximately from his accession to the throne, the civil wars period ofNorwegian historystarted, that lasted from 1130 to 1217. During this period there were several interlocked conflicts of varying scale and intensity. The background for these conflicts were the unclear Norwegiansuccession laws,social conditions and the struggle between Church and King. There were two main parties, firstly known by varying names or no names at all, but finally condensed into parties ofBaglerandBirkebeiner.The rallying point regularly was a royal son, who was set up as the head figure of the party in question, to oppose the rule of the king from the contesting party.
References
[edit]- ^"Harald 4 Gille".25 February 2020.
- ^abcpublic domain:Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911). "Haralds.v.Harald IV.".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 12 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 935. One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the
- ^Alexander Bugge(ed. & tr.), ofDubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh,On the Fomorians and the Norsemen.Christiania: J. Chr. Gundersens Bogtrykkeri. 1905. See Bugge's introduction.
- ^"Saga of Magnus the Blind and of Harald Gille(Heimskringla) ".Archived fromthe originalon 2016-04-07.Retrieved2019-06-05.
- ^Gilchrist Harald 4 Gille(Store norske leksikon)
- ^Ingerid Ragnvaldsdatter(Store norske leksikon)